Lionel Legacy GP-7

I have one of the early TMCC GP9's (from the 90's, pullmor power) and I really like the sounds in it. A couple months ago, I purchased a Legacy diesel (SD80MAC) and ran it for a long time before running the GP9 again. I have to say there is a huge difference in sound. The legacy engine has way better sound quality, the GP9's sounds just seem airy to me.

I still like both, but the legacy one is my main runner at the moment.

Jake,
Yes, I agree. We have two of the mid-90's TMCC GP-9's. They have the pullmors, postwar styling (stamped handrails) and RS 2.5.
While having always been reliable, I was never happy with the chunkiness of the details or even the sound which seemed a little "small transistor radio" to me.
These new offerings are really something.
Mike

I've begun to wonder if it isn't just the differences in the sound files but the differences in the speakers. I wonder if a "speaker upgrade" would make some of these older engines sound enough better to make it a worthwhile alternative. It wouldn't be "Legacy" but it might sound better than it did.

If anyone knows where I can find the PRR GP7 in cab number 8512 to go with my 8510, please let me know!

quote:

Originally posted by Gandalf97:
I've begun to wonder if it isn't just the differences in the sound files but the differences in the speakers. I wonder if a "speaker upgrade" would make some of these older engines sound enough better to make it a worthwhile alternative. It wouldn't be "Legacy" but it might sound better than it did.

.

Eric,
Doing a few "Dr. Evil" experiments myself. I have found the speaker upgrade helps only little bit, the problem is the sound boards do not have enough power to operate them.

I wish Lionel would offer an upgrade kit. I would even be willing to pay around 200 bucks for the upgrade. I would be even willing to pay shipping to mail in the unit, they could upgrade the electronics, sound board, and speaker and send back, with no worries to their patents.

I know that those who have them, are keeping them. I've been looking for NYC Legacy Geeps for sometime...

quote:

Originally posted by J Daddy:
I would even be willing to pay around 200 bucks for the upgrade.

Well, I suspect you would be one of a very, very few.

Besides, Lionel has no interest in doing expensive sound upgrades to old engines. They're in the business of making new engines. Their view is, if you want one that sounds like a new one, buy a new one. Very few manufacturers of anything are interested in making expensive upgrades to make their old products just like their new ones.

Talking about the Legacy Scale GP7, I love these things. Good luck finding the second road number for any of these. I managed to get the two numbers for the Pennsy GP7's and just cannot beat these. Looks great and the lashup performance is fantastic with legacy...


Seems like they just look more correct when you pull a train with two powered GP7's...

Bob,
Great. Now you've planted the lashup thing in my head. I had enough trouble finding the 1st road number of the UP GP.
These models really capture the power and heft of the prototype.
I'm also blown away by the minimizing of the pilot/frame gap.
Running it with high momentum and train brake really is something.
Mike

I enjoy my Legacy GP7...I am so glad I purchased it. Mine is the Polar Railroad roadname. These are such good runners/pullers and the sounds are incredible. Mine can be seen running in this weeks "Weekend at the Movies" thread. I can't wait to purchase another...so I'm hoping Lionel offers them is C&O or Lionel livery, soon.

quote:

Originally posted by graz:
Bob,
Great. Now you've planted the lashup thing in my head. I had enough trouble finding the 1st road number of the UP GP.
These models really capture the power and heft of the prototype.
I'm also blown away by the minimizing of the pilot/frame gap.
Running it with high momentum and train brake really is something.
Mike

The UP did not have a second power GP7. Just a dummy was available. Only one power unit is not enough to pull many of my trains, so I had to get (2) UP GP7 powers and one Dummy. One of these days I will swap the dummy sell onto the secon power unit so I can have two powered with different cab numbers.

quote:

Originally posted by MartyE:
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Great video and beautiful engines. But that seems like WAY too much smoke for diesel. Looks like the motor is burning coolant or something. Are you able to dial it back with the Legacy system?

quote:

Originally posted by SB..:


Great video and beautiful engines. But that seems like WAY too much smoke for diesel. Looks like the motor is burning coolant or something. Are you able to dial it back with the Legacy system?

Thats a first.

quote:

Originally posted by graz:
I'm also blown away by the minimizing of the pilot/frame gap.
Mike

Almost too much minimizing in some cases. I've had an issue with several (Rio Grande, in particular), where the frame was bent, in that it was curved with the frame at the center of the engine higher than the frame at the ends of the engine. It caused the front of the trucks to rub on the bottom of the frame at the ends of the engine, which blocked the truck from turning.

Luckily, it was relatively easy to push down on the center of the engine and bend the frame back where it was straight. This raised the ends of the frame relative to the trucks, and solved the rubbing issue.

quote:

Originally posted by RickO:

quote:

Originally posted by SB..:


Great video and beautiful engines. But that seems like WAY too much smoke for diesel. Looks like the motor is burning coolant or something. Are you able to dial it back with the Legacy system?

Thats a first.

I never understood this boards fascination with smokey diesels. I've never seen smoke billowing from real ones. But I don't spend that much time around trains.

quote:

Originally posted by SB..:
I never understood this boards fascination with smokey diesels. I've never seen smoke billowing from real ones.

I would agree that many on the forum seem to be wacky about heavily smoking diesels for some reason. Personally, I leave the smoke turned off on diesels - too much hassle and mess.

The only real diesels with a reputation for sometimes churning out smoke were certain of the old Alcos, but that was years ago. Certainly today with concern about emissions, significant smoke from diesels is a no-no.